History is set to be made at Wimbledon as either Iga Swiatek or Amanda Anisimova will be crowned a new women’s singles champion.
A New Era at SW19
This year’s Wimbledon final marks a significant moment, as a ninth different woman is poised to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish in nine years. Following Serena Williams’ consecutive wins in 2015 and 2016, we’re now guaranteed an eighth straight first-time champion.
It’s also worth noting that only once in the last 11 years has a top-five seed emerged victorious at Wimbledon. This streak of unexpected winners will continue, adding another layer of intrigue to the match.
Iga Swiatek: The Versatile Contender
Iga Swiatek, seeded eighth, enters the final eyeing her sixth Major title, which would make her the active player with the most Grand Slams. She is also the only active woman to have reached a Grand Slam final on all three surfaces: hard, clay, and grass.
Her arrival in London followed a challenging season by her high standards. However, Swiatek’s strong Major record, a more controlled aggressive style, and improved serving have propelled her to this stage. With many top contenders falling early, she’s now on the brink of a title that could truly solidify her place among contemporary tennis greats.
Amanda Anisimova: The Comeback Story
Amanda Anisimova has the chance to become the fourth consecutive player ranked outside the top 10 to win Wimbledon. Like her predecessors, she wasn’t heavily favored, possesses a refined grass-court game, and has beaten top 10 players en route to the final – all positive omens for the American.
Anisimova’s journey has been remarkable. After reaching an unheralded semifinal at Roland Garros as a teenager in 2019, she faced years of turmoil. Last year, she even failed to qualify for the main draw at Wimbledon. Her incredible return makes her the first player in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon final after not even qualifying the previous year.
Key Numbers Behind Their Runs
For Swiatek, her first serve has been a crucial weapon. She has won 78% of points behind it, the best among all players who made it past the first round at Wimbledon. This success has been key to her revival after a semifinal exit at the French Open.
Anisimova’s path to victory often starts strong. She has won each of her last 28 matches when she claims the first set. This streak includes her semifinal victory against top seed Aryna Sabalenka, where she successfully blunted a potential comeback.
Anisimova is also only the third player to defeat Aryna Sabalenka on all three WTA-level surfaces, joining Kiki Bertens and Marketa Vondrousova. This highlights her ability to adapt and challenge top opponents.
At 24 years and 30 days old, Swiatek is the youngest player to reach a Grand Slam final on all three surfaces in women’s singles since Justine Henin in 2003, further underscoring her unique versatility in today’s game.
What They’re Saying
Iga Swiatek reflected on her unexpected success on grass: “Honestly, I never even dreamt that it was possible for me to play the final. I don’t know, tennis keeps surprising me … I thought I had experienced everything on the court, but I hadn’t experienced playing well on grass. That’s the first time.”
Amanda Anisimova spoke about her comeback after taking time away from the sport: “A lot of people told me that you would never make it to the top again if you take so much time away from the game. So just me being able to prove that you can get back to the top if you prioritize yourself, that’s been incredibly special to me.”
- This Wimbledon final guarantees a first-time women’s singles champion for the eighth consecutive year.
- Iga Swiatek is the only active player to have reached Grand Slam finals on all three surfaces.
- Amanda Anisimova’s journey from failing to qualify last year to reaching the final this year is a historic first in the Open Era.
- Both players have overcome challenges, with Swiatek improving her grass game and Anisimova making a strong comeback after prioritizing her well-being.
As these two formidable competitors prepare to face off, a new chapter in Wimbledon history is ready to be written.
